a thread for all new runners who're doing VLM 2013.

Just discovered this thread so I'm a first time poster and first time marathoner (is that a word?).

I ran a bit in 2011 having never run before. I started again in sept last year as my weight had crept up (16 1/2 stone). Was doing a two or three runs most weeks for a few months. Kept it up thought December so entered the VLM

Not following a programme (is that foolish). Just following the principlesn trying to run 4 times a week. One LSR, did 17miles last week, 13 miles today. Then other days tend to do 6 miles, either easy, or with intervals, I have option of doing 10 mile run to work too.

For some reason I am used to mins per km. I did my 17 miles at about 7m per km which must be about 11.5 mn per mile but yesterday's 13 miles I ran first half at 6m40s pace which is an out 10min 15 sec per mile and second half was run a bit quicker at 10min mile pace.

My 6milers tend to be around 10min mile pace but a quick on might be 9m 30sec pace.

Well done Sofaboy good running sounds like you're really ramping up the miles and I take it the ankle is ok?

I'm a bit fed up atm as the ankle niggle I felt during my LSR last weekend hasn't cleared up so I've been resting, RICEing and rollering since Tues. Did a cautious 4ish miles today and it was ok at first but a bit sore again by the end, certainly wouldn't have been up to the 17 miles I was due to do today. Mind you it has been a horribly cold and windy day and 17 miles would have been a bit grim!

Going to carry on with the rehab and pick up on the strength training I was planning to do regularly - but haven't - otherwise my old legs will never make it. Roll on Spring ...

I've been lurking in the forums for a few weeks now and my excitement has gotten the better of me as training for this marathon has taken over my life, so thought I should get involved in the forums as I am boring everyone I know with marathon chat.

Training is going well - hard, but strangely enjoyable. There are definitely more than a few sessions that I will remember on race day...

...especially that first 3 mile run after finding out I was in and wheezing all the way home and wondering how was I ever going to manage?

The 5 mile round trip when I was tired and burning the candle at both ends over Xmas that contributed to illness over the festive period.

The 9 miles in the snow when my determination levels kicked in and I genuinely celebrated, arms aloft, when 9 miles clocked up on my watch.

And each long run where I run further than I have ever run before from here on in.

Welcome to Adam and Camberwell. Glad to hear that training is taking over everyone else's life too!

Been a bit grumpy since hurting my lower leg last week but after much foam roller-ing and self massage and all the rest did 4 miles this evening with barely a twinge. Happy days again and looking forward to getting back on track

Pounded out 6.5 miles with a heavy pack on my back as am staying at a friends in town tonight. Ran it at 8:30 pace with a nice long, slow stride. Felt great.

Camberwell, i was where you are now, a few months back. The improvement in fitness and the ease with which your do things that you used to struggle with is one of the best things about this new running lark. Enjoy your progress!

Thanks Sofaboy - must admit, my progress has shocked me. I wouldn't say I was hugely out of shape before running, but endurance has never been my thing.

Gearing up for a 13 mile LSD tomorrow morning, but have a slight cold and feeling shattered, which has halted my feel good factor.

As part of my training, I am making the runs as scenic as possible and being a football geek, I am ticking off assorted London football grounds on training runs. Tomorrow's run will feature Highbury (a chance for a look at what they did to the old place), a lap of The Emirates, down to the river, down The Mall and then the plod back to deepest darkest SE5.

Welcome to Adam and Camberwell. Glad to hear that training is taking over everyone else's life too!

Been a bit grumpy since hurting my lower leg last week but after much foam roller-ing and self massage and all the rest did 4 miles this evening with barely a twinge. Happy days again and looking forward to getting back on track

Hi Kamal, I have a bog standard shorter length blue roller from Amazon - 66Fit (soz cant get the link to go in on the ipad) It does the job a treat. There are loads of vids on Youtube but my best advice was to use it slowly and hold it over a tight (ie painful) spot until the pain diminishes significantly. I use it most days on my calfs, quads and glutes - wouldn't be without it.

well it's been a while since anyone was here. how's it going folks? only just over 2 months to go now. anyone crapping themselves yet?

as the runs have got longer i've had a couple of bad ones. a 20 miler last weekend that ended at 18.3 because i stopped for a pee and couldn't get going again. my body just said "no pal, that's enough for today" and refused to do any more. funny thing is, if i'd kept moving i'd have been fine.

and an 18 miler a few weeks back that never felt right from the start, no energy, pace etc which bombed out after struggling for 7 miles. that one was hard mentally.

but in general i'm looking forward to it. fundraising is going well too.

Good to hear from you SB. Sounds like you've had a couple of tough runs there. Maybe need a wee rest and reign back for a week or two - there's still plenty of time.

I found the 14 and 15 milers hard going what with the cold weather and niggles. That's all cleared up now and i did a great 17 miles last Sunday in perfect weather. I swam every day last week (free 5 day pass at the local leisure centre) and it didn't half make a difference. Half term this week and a relatively lazy few days at home with my girls. The cold weather is back, not really looking forward to 18 miles on Sunday

Going to try and swim now a couple of times a week and keep on with the lunges/squats/step up routine I started to do but let slip badly, my little injury has reminded me to respect this distance and give my body all the help it needs!

A good LSR doesn't half give you confidence and last week I found myself thinking 'I can do this' Got a late place in FLeet half 17 March so hoping for a good run and a bit of race buzz. Paddy's Day as well so I'll be flying the flag being Irish.

For now though it's me and littlest one on the sofa with popcorn and Brave (Disney version) on the DVD. I'm sure popcorn is an excellent recovery snack after a bl**dy freezing 8 miles this morning!

I've clocked up two 16 milers for my last two long slow distances. This week was meant to be 14 miles according to my training plan (I've found the slightly reduced sessions help cement the ability to cover that distance) but got lost and ended up running an extra 2 miles to get home!

The run itself felt hard in the cold and I thought about distance and pain all the way round. It was a huge mental battle but I was 9 mins quicker than my first time at that distance.

Approaching the hardest spell of training with 18, two 20s and a 22 all on the horizon. I need to win the mental battle for those, that is for sure.

i did a 20 miler down the gym on saturday as we had horizontal sleet which i didn't really fancy. dear god it was dull. even with a couple of CDs and the wales-italy game. 3H20 on a treadmill is no fun at all.

weirdly i find a TM a lot harder as well. you'd think it would be easier and less impact but i was seriously hurting by the end.

10 mile MWSR tomorrow which should be nice. and then the silverstone 1/2 on sunday where i'll use as a preactice for the first half of the main event.

Hi
I have been training pretty hard over winter looking for a sub 5 hr for VLM .
This is my first ever and last marathon as only been running for just over a year managed to get my training up to 23 miles 3 weeks ago but have suffered for it since with colds a knee injury and i am presently sat suffering with cold as I type this.
I must admit its been a journey with all the ups and downs that come with training for a marathon until you have tried it you can't appreciate what you put your body through .
So all being well when I get over that finish line in just over a week it will be the biggest achievement of my life and a great story to tell the grand kids :0)

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